Environments for Aging

What Environments for Aging does

Environments for Aging (EFA) is a U.S.-based conference, exhibition, and media brand serving the senior living design industry. Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Cincinnati, EFA operates under parent company Emerald X, LLC alongside related brands including Healthcare Design Magazine, HCD Conference & Expo, and Senior Lifestyle Design Match. Its core product is the annual EFA Conference + Expo — a 2-plus day event featuring CEU-accredited educational sessions (15 hours AIA/IDCEC and 8 hours EDAC in 2026), an expo hall, workshops, community tours, and networking — with 2026 held at the Phoenix Convention Center (March 16-18) and 2027 scheduled in Charlotte, N.C. (April 12-14).

EFA monetizes through three revenue streams: (1) one-time conference registration fees paid by attendees; (2) exhibit and sponsorship sales managed by a dedicated sales team with lead capture via the EFA Connect mobile app; and (3) recurring EFA Magazine subscriptions and advertising, with both digital and print editions. Supporting the core event are the EFA Newsletter, EFA Magazine, and the EFA Connect app for attendee engagement and exhibitor lead capture. The company markets through content marketing (magazine, newsletter), SEO/organic social (Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube), email, and earned media via press registration.

EFA serves architects, interior designers, senior living owners/operators, product manufacturers, government officials, and gerontologists. Strategic core partnerships with the American Institute of Architects–aligned bodies (Design for Aging/AAfA, AAHID, IIDA, and SAGE) provide association programming and audience pipelines. The brand positions itself as one of the fastest-growing sector events for long-term and residential care environments, with no disclosed venture funding and no public ownership structure.

Name

Environments for Aging

Legal name

Environments for Aging (operated by Emerald X, LLC)

Website

https://environmentsforaging.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Environments for Aging is a U.S.-based annual conference, exhibition, and media brand serving architects, operators, and product manufacturers in the senior living design industry, operated by Emerald X, LLC alongside affiliated healthcare design events and EFA Magazine.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Conferences and Events for Senior Living Design

NAICS

Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly (62331)

akta.pro primary industry

Active Adult / Senior Community Association Management (BPAJAHAJ)

Keywords

• Senior living design
• Trade conferences
• Continuing education
• Healthcare events
• Industry exhibitions

Headquarters

HQ city

Cincinnati

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Conference Registration Fees: Revenue generated from attendees paying to participate in the EFA Conference + Expo. Registration opens in fall for the following year's event.
2. Exhibit and Sponsorship Sales: Companies pay to exhibit in the expo hall and sponsor various event elements (welcome reception, sessions, workshops). Lead capture is facilitated through the official EFA Connect app.
3. Magazine Subscriptions and Advertising: EFA Magazine provides a subscription revenue stream with digital editions, print subscriptions, and advertising opportunities in the publication and media kit.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Environments for Aging (EFA) produces an annual multi-day conference and exposition dedicated to the design of senior living environments, complemented by year-round media including a print magazine, e-newsletter, mobile networking app, and a digital matchmaking service. It serves architects, interior designers, senior living facility operators, and product manufacturers serving the aging population, with CEU-eligible educational programming.

Product overview

Environments for Aging (EFA) is a professional conference and media company operating a portfolio of event and publication products. The core offering is the EFA Conference + Expo, a multi-day event for senior living design featuring educational sessions, workshops, community tours, expo hall, and networking opportunities. Supporting the event is the EFA Connect App for lead capture and attendee engagement, and EFA Magazine, a publication covering senior living design trends. The company also operates or is affiliated with related brands including Senior Lifestyle Design Match, Healthcare Design Magazine, and HCD Conference & Expo, collectively forming a broader ecosystem serving the senior living and healthcare design industries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• EFA Magazine: Leading magazine on senior living design
• EFA Connect
• Senior Lifestyle Design Match

Products and services

• EFA Conference + Expo

Quantifiable outcome

• 15 hours CEU credits available (AIA/IDCEC)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Design for Aging (AAfA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesign for Aging is an association partner for the Environments for Aging Conference + Expo, providing industry expertise and association programming to the event.
• AAHID (American Art of Designing Interiors for Senior Living)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAAHID is an association partner for the Environments for Aging Conference + Expo, contributing industry knowledge and professional resources.
• IIDA (International Interior Design Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIIDA is an association partner for the Environments for Aging Conference + Expo, bringing interior design expertise to the event.
• SAGE (Society for the Advancement of Gerontological Environments)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAGE is an association partner for the Environments for Aging Conference + Expo. SAGE co-founder David Green is memorialized through the David Green Memorial Award which opens EFA to emerging senior living designers.
• Emerald X, LLCcoreOthersEmerald X, LLC is the parent company of Environments for Aging, EFA Magazine, Healthcare Design Magazine, HCD Conference & Expo, and Senior Lifestyle Design Match. All EFA events and publications operate under the Emerald X umbrella.
• EvolveConminorOthersEvolveCon is EFA's official housing provider for hotel accommodations. Attendees book through EvolveCon for the best rates and availability.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/EFAging
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@environmentsforaging8290
• Facebookfacebook.com/environmentsforagingmag
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/efamagazine
• Instagraminstagram.com/efamagazine

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Environments for Aging